The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg; and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities. Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become.
Vivienne didn't remember falling asleep, but she remembered the dream. She was in a large, grand room that seemed to stretch infinitely in all directions. The air was imbued with a sense of ancient power, and the ceiling soared high above, seemingly disappearing into a celestial expanse. The place seemed to radiate sheer power.
As her eyes adjusted to the brilliance of the chamber, Vivienne's gaze was drawn to the entrance where a crowd of people had gathered. Some were satyrs, their hooves tapping softly against the marbled floor, while others were nymphs, centaurs, naiads, and much more. Some wore armour adorned with symbols of ancient civilizations, while others sported more contemporary attire with a touch of the extraordinary. Their eyes were fixed on something ahead, something that held their rapt attention. Intrigued, Vivienne followed their gaze and her heart quickened as she saw the figures that stood before her. Seven demigods were standing in a neat row, their backs turned towards her.
However, her attention was soon drawn to what lay beyond the demigods. Twelve towering figures sat upon massive thrones, the brilliant sun that hung behind them shining bright. Rays of golden light spilled around their silhouettes, casting long shadows that seemed to dance across the floor. These figures, whoever they were, emanated an aura of authority that matched the room itself. Each throne seemed to represent a different facet of power and dominion, and the weight of their presence was almost tangible. Vivienne squinted, trying to catch a glimpse of their faces, but the brilliance of the sun made it impossible.
A silence swept through the chamber as the atmosphere in the room changed. Then, with a resonance that seemed to shake the very foundations of space, a voice, both thunderous and regal boomed.
"I take it he's been found then?" the voice asked, jolting her.
"Yes Father," one of the demigods said. With a startle, she realised that it sounded exactly like Jason from camp. Were these the seven of the prophecy that had fought in the Second Giant War? And if so, does this mean one of them was Percy Jackson?
"Good," Jason's father, Zeus, grumbled. Another one of the gods however just chuckled.
"Don't get all grumpy, Father," he said. "My son is a brilliant prankster, to the point that he had us fooled. Besides, he did sacrifice himself to defeat a primordial."
"Whatever," Zeus muttered. "Now, have you all thought about the proposition? I assume you filled Leo in, didn't you Jason?"
"Yes Father," he affirmed. "Though he's still shocked that you're even agreeing."
"Believe me, even I'm shocked," he grumbled to himself, before straightening up and raising his voice. "But the other Olympian's have spoken, and sadly, Olympus is a democracy-"
"To an extent," she heard another god snicker.
"-And we've decided to continue with our gifts. Now, who wants to be first?" A voice, eager and ecstatic, burst forth, filling the chamber with a youthful fervour.
"Oooh me! Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, won't stop till you say me, me, me, me, me, me, me-"
"Fine!" Zeus glowered. "Leo Valdez, demigod of Hephaestus, do you accept the council's gift of immortality." All of a sudden, the pieces of the dream's puzzle clicked into place, and Vivienne realised what this dream was. This was a moment from over five hundred years ago, when the seven had been gifted their godhood.
Vivienne was now even eager to hear what was happening, especially seeing as this could finally be her chance to see what domains Percy Jackson had.
"Lord Zeus," Leo began. His voice carried respect, but she could tell he was just quivering with excitement. "I accepted godhood before you even asked!" Zeus seemed to frown.
"How is that even poss-" Zeus's sentence dissolved into an exasperated sigh. "You know what, I don't even wanna know."
"It's called a premove," Leo said wittily, before stepping forwards.
"Very well," Zeus's tone took on a resigned note, as if he had accepted the inevitably of Leo's humour. "Right now, the Fates will be giving you your domains. Unfortunately, the Hesperides are having an issue getting the golden apples here for you to all eat. Speaking of which, how are we doing on that, Hermes?"
"It's coming," he affirmed casually. "Honestly, I told them to ship it first class Hermes, but no, they couldn't be asked to cough up the extra few dollars and decided to send it through third class."
"You have a third class?" one of the demigod's asked. Hermes's nod held a mischievous grin, as if he was about to reveal a well-kept secret.
"Let's get back to topic, shall we?" another god suggested, this one female. "I want to see what domains my daughter gets."
"Very well," Zeus agreed. "Fates, please uh, do your magic." Three goddesses Vivienne hadn't noticed before stepped forwards, walking towards Leo and sizing him up.
"Leo Valdez," the first one began, "the world has seen your courage, bravery and sacrifice in this war, yet they've also seen your lame humour and knack for pranks. Therefore, we have decided to give you the domains of Mechanics and Pyrokinetics, with a small overlap in Fire and Lame Humour - yes, that is now a domain." It was safe to say Leo was over the moon, his joy evident in the way he practically glowed with elation..
"Thank you Lord- Uh I mean Lady Fates!" Blushing red from embarrassment, he turned around, standing back in line.
"Hazel Levesque, demigod of Pluto, do you accept the council's gift of immortality?" A girl Vivienne had never seen in her life cast a nervous look to the boy next to her, who nodded encouragingly. Sighing, she stepped forward, meekly nodding her head. Without waiting for Zeus, the Fates approached her.
"Hazel Levesque," the second one said. "You've lived two lives, and each time, you've had to put up with the curse that was given by your Father. For your perseverance, even through these tough times, we grant you the domains of Caves, Gems, and Underworld Nexus." The room held its breath as Hazel's brows knitted in contemplation, a fleeting uncertainty clouding her features.
"Oh, umm, sorry, what's Nexus?" she squeaked. The Fates, however, showed no patience for hesitation, muttering how slow of a god Zeus was.
"Ask your father after the ceremony," Zeus instructed, before calling upon the next person. "Frank Zhang, demigod of Mars, do you accept the council's gift of immortality?" The boy next to Hazel squeezed her hand tightly.
"Yes, I accept!" Frank's voice rang out loud and clear. Again, the Fates approached him.
"Frank Zhang," the third one said this time. "From birth, you've been granted power, at the cost of a piece of wood representing your life. Throughout the years, terror and fear has gnawed away at you, yet still, you fought valiantly. For this, we have deemed you worthy of the domain Metamorphosis." She heard a few people gasp at this. Whatever Metamorphosis meant, it was obviously something big.
"Annabeth Chase, demigod of Athena, do you accept the council's gift of immortality?" Another unfamiliar demigod turned to someone next to her. She couldn't see him, but whoever it was gave her a subtle nod. She smiled at him.
"I accept your gift," she said firmly.
"Annabeth Chase," the first one now said. "Amidst the darkness of war, conflict, and even the pit, your intelligence and knack for strategy has never once let Olympus down. Therefore, it is only fit to serve you the domains of Blueprints and Plans, with a small overlap in Mechanics with Leo Valdez." A chorus of approval seemed to rise from the assembled immortals.
"She deserves the best," a god yelled, causing Annabeth to blush a little.
"Thank you Gods and Goddesses," she smiled, before getting a hug from Piper and the boy next to her.
"Piper McLean-"
"I accept!" Piper's exuberant interruption seemed to mirror her playful personality from back at camp. Zeus didn't seem happy about it, but let the Fates approach her, their ancient robes billowing like a river of time.
"Piper McLean," the second Fate began. "The brutality of beauty you have shown everyone is impressive." Vivienne almost snorted. There was no way the Piper she met had a violent side. She was so sweet and caring to all the campers, but then again, a lot can happen in a few hundred years. "We give you the domains of Charms, Comfort, and Care." The girl seemed speechless, hastily bowing down before returning to Jason's side in a daze. He gave her a tight hug, whispering, "I wouldn't've expected any less from you," into her ear.
"Jason Grace!" Zeus boomed. "My son! Do you accept the council's gift of immortality?" Zeus looked almost hopeful, nervously fidgeting with his fingers, though Vivienne didn't understand why. Jason turned, giving Piper a hug and stepping forwards .
"I accept, Lord Zeus!" he said, head held high. Zeus seemed to let out a sigh of relief, motioning for the Fates to do their thing.
"Jason Grace," the third one sighed, as if bored. "Throughout the war, you've shown your skills at leading the Romans, solidifying friendships, and fighting armies of monsters, as well as taking on a primordial. We grant you the domains of Flight and Heroes." Jason seemed thrilled, but the Fates weren't done yet. "You also have the shared domains Storms and Leadership."
"Storms?" Zeus's voice held a note of disbelief. "But that's my domain!"
"Not anymore," the second Fate yawned. "Mother thinks you've already got enough domains as it is, and how you handled this war was the final straw. You've been… As the mortals say, demoted." The verdict hung in the air like a storm cloud, electrifying the atmosphere. Zeus, despite his lividness, didn't challenge their judgement. As Vivienne observed, she couldn't help but marvel at the mystique these ancient goddesses carried, a force that seemed to defy even the king of Olympus himself. She watched Zeus slump back in his throne, throwing dirty looks at the Fates behind their backs.
"Percy Jackson!" The voice thundered through the dream like a bolt of lightning. She looked at who'd spoken, a vibrant god brandishing a trident, instantly seizing the spotlight. "My first son in… Wow, in decades. You've rejected immortality before, yet still, the council offers you it as a gift again, should you choose to accept." The boy standing next to Annabeth seemed to shift uneasily on his feet.
"Percy," Annabeth began uncertainly. "Just think about it. We can… We can have a future together." Her words were full of longing and hope. "You can use your godhood to bring equality and justice to Olympus. And I can make awesome buildings. Come on, it'll be like the dream team!" The man who must've been Percy sighed. Vivienne tried to get a look at his face, but she seemed frozen.
"I… I accept!" he said happily. Vivienne had heard so much about the legendary Percy Jackson, but his voice wasn't what she had expected. It had a mix of mischief and kindness, but it was also light and playful. He sounded like one of the 'cool' kids at school who'd play basketball, muck about, and someone still found time to be kind and helpful to others. Poseidon nodded, and the Fates approached him, however, this time, instead of tired and bored, they seemed almost intrigued.
"Perseus Jackson," the first one whispered. "You've led the Camp into war, you've fought bravely and your kindness and compassion for others has been seen by everyone here. Not a single person would dare say that you haven't been Olympus's beacon of hope for two wars now.."
"Thank you, Lady Fates," Percy said politely.
"However," the second one continued. "It's not that simple. You… Well you're different from the others in a way we're not sure is good." The atmosphere in the room had definitely changed.
"Is there a problem?" Zeus asked cautiously. "What are his domains?" As the seconds drifted on, Vivienne found herself holding her breath in anticipation. Like a hidden realm unveiling itself from the darkness, the third Fate stepped forth.
"Perseus Jackson," she declared. "Your domains are…"
And the next thing she knew, Vivienne was in a dark, cold room that seemed to devour light itself. The obsidian shadows swirled around her, thick and suffocating, like ink pouring from a cosmic quill, shaping a place where the boundaries of reality seemed to blur. Blinking against the darkness, her eyes tried to pierce the murky veil. She found herself standing in the heart of this inky abyss, her every breath a misty vapour in the frigid air. The room was bare, aside from a solitary table and a creaking chair in the corner, bathed in a faint light that seemed to emanate from nowhere and everywhere all at once.
That was when her gaze fell upon the figure hunched over the table. Clad in a tattered cloak that draped over his form like the darkness of midnight, his face was shrouded in the shadows of his upturned hood.
"Who-who's this?" she stuttered. "Where am I?" The figure's response slithered through the air, a whisper that seemed to crawl beneath her skin.
"Where?" His voice, a curious mix of malevolence and amusement, emerged like a tide from the depth of the void. "Why, we're in your mind, Vivienne." He chuckled to himself. "Dreams, such fragile, complicated things." Fear tightened its grip on her heart, its icy fingers constricting with every passing second.
"What did you do to my other dream?" she asked, slightly angrily. "It was reaching such a good part." Again, he chuckled.
"Most people would be embarrassed if they were caught spying on someone's past. You know that was all real, don't you?"
"That all really happened?" she frowned. "I mean I had a feeling, but really? Those are the seven's real domains? And how did you know about my dream!?"
"Yes, they all got those domains," he said, carefully ignoring her second question. Vivienne nodded, still uneasy from the sudden change, and more chilled out by the man shuffling cards.
Summoning her courage, Vivienne took a deep breath, finally mustering the words, "Who are you?" The room remained hushed, the only sound being the rhythmic shuffling of the cards. Seconds stretched into moments, and the tension in the air grew. Just as Vivienne began to think he wouldn't answer, the hooded figure finally spoke, his voice low and deliberate, almost a muse.
"You know, most people would recognize the person they were on a quest to find." Vivienne's eyebrows furrowed, her mind racing to decipher his words.
"You're… you're him," she gasped, a mixture of astonishment and realisation dawning upon her. "You're Percy Jackson." The shuffling of the cards momentarily ceased, the figure's presence seeming to fill the room with a new weight. Time hung suspended, and Vivienne's heart pounded as she waited for confirmation. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the hooded man responded, his voice carrying an air of both humility and power, "Yes, I am."
Vivienne's mind raced as she tried to process the enormity of the situation. Percy Jackson, the legendary demigod who had faced countless trials and battles, the same god they were searching for… And here he was, sat before her.
"But why...?" Vivienne began, her voice a mix of awe and curiosity. "Why are you here? In my dream?" Percy leaned back slightly.
"Dreams are a pathway," he muttered, "a bridge between the conscious and the subconscious. And I'm here using them to send a message." She nodded slowly.
"Okay," she gulped. After all it wasn't every day where a lost god decides to personally deliver you a message. "So what's the message?"
The hooded figure gave his cards one last riffle shuffle before dealing them onto the table, his movements deft and practised. The cards fell into place, forming two distinct sets. Vivienne watched in fascination. Then, with an almost rhythmic precision, Percy reached for the top two cards from his pile and placed them in the centre of the table. They revealed an ace, and a king, in other words a blackjack hand. A quiet chuckle escaped him, filled with a mixture of amusement and anticipation.
"A good one indeed," he murmured, his fingers tracing the edges of the cards. Then, turning his gaze towards Vivienne, the shadows of his hood still obscuring his face, Percy's voice took on an almost hollow tone.
"Don't continue your quest," he said seriously, the words hanging heavy in the air. "Don't come south. Don't come looking for me." Vivienne's brows furrowed as confusion and defiance danced in her eyes.
"But why?" she implored, her voice a mix of curiosity and determination. Percy's gaze held steady, a low sigh escaping his lips.
"There's a reason I left all those years ago," he explained, his voice carrying a tinge of sorrow. "And it wasn't so that a new camper and Artemis's girl scouts would first of all even find me, then come and bring me back. You're wasting your time. Go back and help Olympus with its war preparations."
"War!?" The word slipped from Vivienne's lips, laden with disbelief and uncertainty. Percy almost sounded sorry.
"It seems like Thalia hasn't told you. Well, it wouldn't be the first time she's done something like that. I guess it goes to show, you really don't know these people you're on a quest with. How can you trust your quest with them, when they can't even be straight with you?" Vivienne's jaw tightened, her resolve hardening.
"It doesn't matter," she declared firmly. "I am the Seeker, and I'm coming to find you."
"And how are you going to find me?" he asked with a bitter-sweet chuckle. "If no one has found me in five hundred years, what makes you think you will?"
"Because I have a prophecy," she shot back, her voice unwavering. Percy snorted.
"I'm serious!" Vivienne protested. "It talks about finding a soul adrift, and talks about the key being in the key and me also being the key, I don't know, it's confusing but we'll crack it together."
He did his best to hide it, but she could tell that Percy looked visibly uncomfortable.
"It doesn't matter," he sighed. "You're not finding me, and even if you do, I'm not coming back. Go. Home. Now."
"Or what?" she challenged. She watched his hand clench tightly on the side of the table. However, instead of responding, the man went back to his cards, as if he couldn't be bothered to argue, picking up two from the other side and thinking. This was it, Vivienne thought. With a breath caught between anticipation and trepidation, she began her silent approach. Her steps were measured, each footfall a whispered declaration of her intent. The floorboards seemed to hold their breath under her weight, as if even the dream itself sensed the gravity of her choice. Taking a deep breath, she prayed to whatever gods she knew, before ripping off his hood, and unveiling him.
The demeanour of the room completely changed. First, the hooded figure crumpled to the floor like dust, leaving nothing but an empty garment and pile of dust. Next, a shiver, arctic and sharp, threaded through her, provoking a prickle of goosebumps along her arms. The air grew colder, its temperature plummeting as though it were syphoning heat from the very marrow of her bones. It was as if the room had become a crypt.
"Oh you thought it was easy," a cold voice rang throughout the room, dripping with mockery. She looked around struggling to find where the source was; it seemed to be coming from all directions. "Go home!" he yelled. "Enjoy your life! Don't waste it on a futile attempt to save someone who's beyond saving. Everyone thinks I'm so selfish, but the truth is, I'm doing this for you. It's better this way." Vivienne took a deep breath, her heart hammering furiously. Even though it was just a dream, the sheer force she'd just felt had shocked her. People had called Percy Jackson powerful, but what she'd just felt radiate from him was indescribable. And worse, she had a sinking feeling that he had been trying to contain his aura.
"Oh, another blackjack," Percy suddenly said, his tone happy. Vivienne was sort of weirded out by just how fast his demeanour could change. "Ah, well at least I won! Now good day to you too, Vivienne, and have a safe journey back home!" With that, before she even got the chance to ask how you can win blackjack playing by yourself, the world around her blurred, and she heard someone yell, "Slam it down!" propelling her back into the realm of wakefulness with a start that left her gasping.
Vivienne woke up abruptly to the sound of loud cheering. Her initial thoughts were that she was playing Need For Speed, except in real life. Engines roared like caged beasts, and the air crackled with an electric charge that danced along her skin. Her heart raced as she snapped back to reality, her mind struggling to catch up with the sudden chaos around her. The car she was in surged forward with a jolt, causing her to grab onto the nearest handhold to steady herself.
"Wha-What's happening," she stammered. Her muscles tensed, her sleepy haze quickly dissolving into a mix of adrenaline and confusion.
"STEP ON IT!" Thalia screamed into her ear, causing her to jump five feet ad bang her head on the car roof.
"Ouch!" she grumbled.
"Oh, you're awake," Phoebe's voice rang with a sly amusement.
"Yes, I am," Vivienne mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep, rubbing the side of her head. "Care to explain what the heck is going on?"
"We're being chased," Atalanta's voice came from the opposite side.
"Chased? By who?" When no one responded, she repeated her question louder.
"Who knows?" Phoebe shrugged. "But we assume it's monsters." Vivienne was in shock, though she couldn't tell whether it was from her dream, or from this random car chase that seemed to be straight out of a movie.
"Monsters… They can drive?"
"The new ones, yeah," Thalia chimed in. "It's rare, but some of them have actual driving licences, you know, the smarter ones. They're the ones you have to look out for anyway, because they can actually plan and strategize."
As the car hurtled forward, Reyna skillfully manoeuvred through traffic. Vivienne's heart raced with each sharp turn and sudden acceleration. Her eyes widened as they sped past a red light, immediately jumping to the thought of traffic cameras catching them.
"Uh, guys, cameras!" Vivienne exclaimed, panic creeping into her voice. Thalia rolled her eyes from the passenger seat.
"Stop being dramatic, Viv. We've got bigger things to worry about." The chase continued, Reyna somehow weaving through the cars with a mix of speed and precision.
"Don't stop now," Atalanta cried. "They might still be with-" Vivienne's voice pierced the air.
"Watch out!" she yelled. Her reactions fast, Reyna jerked the steering wheel to the right, throwing everyone to the side. They narrowly missed colliding with another car, and Vivienne's grip on the door handle tightened as if it were her lifeline. She was still trying to figure out what was happening. A car chase, but why were monsters after her?
"Enough!" Phoebe's voice carried a hint of nausea. "I might be sick. We need to pull over. I've definitely had enough of Reyna's driving for one day." Atalanta nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, and we've already lost them anyway. I need the toilet as well." The gas station loomed ahead, a sanctuary amidst the chaotic chase. As they pulled in, the screeching of tires gradually gave way to the hum of the engine idling. Reyna parked the car, and everyone hurriedly exited.
Vivienne's legs felt wobbly as she stood on the solid ground, her adrenaline-fueled energy now replaced with a mixture of relief and anxiety. She watched as Reyna topped up the fuel, the gas pump's soft beeping breaking the silence. Taking in a deep breath, Vivienne finally found the time to reflect on her dreams. Her main question was still what were Percy's domains? The Fates had been intrigued by him, and she'd felt his aura in the dream world. After what Percy had said about a war, something was telling her that Thalia hadn't been fully honest with her… Or maybe that was just Percy trying to get her. Still, it hadn't felt like he had been lying.
Shortly after, Thalia emerged from the small convenience store, her arms laden with an assortment of colourful candy wrappers and chip bags. The distinct crinkle of plastic echoed in the air as she approached the group, a sly grin playing on her lips. Before anyone could question her snack haul, Reyna playfully opened her mouth, ready to tease.
"Relax, I paid for them," Thalia reassured swiftly. She distributed the goodies among them, and Vivienne gladly accepted the sweet offerings. Sitting down on the curb, the group lapsed into a companionable quietude, the symphony of crinkling wrappers punctuating the moment. Vivienne unwrapped a chocolate bar, each bite a mingling of flavours and contemplation as her mind wandered back to the peculiar dream she'd had.
"So how was your sleep?" Thalia asked Vivienne. Vivienne mulled it over for a fleeting second before replying, "I had a dream." Anticipating scoffs and dismissive chuckles, she was caught off guard as Thalia's interest suddenly flared.
"Really?" Thalia inquired eagerly, her eyes alight with curiosity. "What happened?"
"Oh wow, uh, why are you so interested, it's just a dream. Nothing special." Thalia scoffed.
"Vivienne, we're demigods. Dreams are never 'nothing special' for us. Spill the beans!" Vivienne hesitated, debating whether or not to share.
"I… I spoke to Percy," she confessed. Reyna, who had been mid-pouring gas into the car, froze abruptly and turned towards her with a grave expression.
"Impossible," she stated firmly, her voice carrying a note of conviction. "No one has laid eyes on him for ages, let alone actually spoken to him." Vivienne met Reyna's gaze head-on, unwavering in her claim.
"It's true," she insisted, recounting the mysterious scene she had witnessed in her dream: a dim room, a cloaked figure, and the shuffling of cards. Reyna's brow furrowed deeper. Her tone shifted, adopting an almost wistful gravity.
"What game was he playing?" Vivienne paused, sifting through her hazy memory of the dream.
"I'm not one for card games, but I think it was blackjack?" A spark of excitement leapt between Thalia and Reyna. Their glances exchanged, silent understanding blooming between them.
"It's him," Thalia breathed, her voice hushed with a mix of awe and disbelief. As if drawn into their excitement, Phoebe approached the group curiously.
"What's got you two all worked up?"
"We'll fill you in," Thalia grinned, a conspiratorial twinkle in her eyes. "But you've got to promise not to freak out." Phoebe nodded eagerly as she casually took a chocolate bar from Reyna.
"Promise." Thalia exchanged a quick glance with Reyna, the excitement nearly tangible.
"Vivienne just had her dream hijacked by Percy," Reyna revealed, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Not only that, but he actually talked to her." Phoebe's reaction was immediate, her face lighting up like a bonfire in the dark.
"No way! Are you sure?" The three of them nodded. "That's… Wow, that's crazy. Honestly, the last person I'd expect Percy to ever talk to would be Vivienne, no offence, it's just he doesn't know you, and I don't know how he found out. Wait, did he mention Artemis? And what about that prank we pulled on Apollo's birthday? Please tell me he's still giving me credit for it!" Reyna raised a hand, her smile hinting at amusement.
"Slow down a bit. Let the girl catch her breath." Phoebe's enthusiasm bubbled, her questions teetering on the edge of her lips.
"I don't think I've ever seen Phoebe this excited," Reyna snickered, causing Thalia to also chuckle.
"It's short lived, trust me." Reyna nodded, before turning her attention back to the Seeker.
"So, what did Percy say?" Vivienne took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding.
"He said he had a message for us." Thalia leaned in closer.
"Okay… So what's the message?" Vivienne opened her mouth to tell them everything that had happened; how he doesn't want to be found, how he keeps going on about another war happening, and how he seemed a little crazy to her…
…And that's when the car exploded.
Dream's are dreams, words are words, people are people, and lives are lives. That being said, how was the chapter? I was really nervous about this because I haven't written a chapter this long for Lost In Solitude, but please do tell me what you think of it!